Cajun Chicken Pasta – a copycat recipe

This Cajun Chicken Pasta is a copycat recipe from Chili’s menu. Bite sized pieces of chicken are coated with cajun seasoning along with some garlic and umami powder (or seasoned salt) then simmered in heavy cream with peppers, onions and mushrooms then tossed with cooked pasta.

This make at home take out pasta dish is rich and delicious and a perfect celebration recipe to keep on hand. Cajun Chicken Pasta is quick and easy comfort food at its finest!

All it takes is a little cream and pasta to make Grumpy happy!

As most of you know by now, Grumpy is and always has been a picky eater. He always complains about me making chicken whenever it is on the menu. He would rather see fish or red meat on the table.

Most of the time I don’t give him a choice. Since I am the cook, I just make what I want. And, that is exactly what I did when I made this Cajun Chicken Pasta. I didn’t even bother to tell him what I was making and just made it and put his portion in the microwave until he was ready to eat it.

After he finally decided to eat dinner, I asked him what he thought. I thought this dish was absolutely delicious and ate every bit of my portion. He actually gave me a thumbs up on the dish, so this is a definite winner to try.

What you need to make this Cajun Chicken Pasta

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Chicken

Cajun seasoning: This is my favorite cajun spice.

Umami Powder: I love this umami powder and use it on everything I can.

Garlic Powder

Green and Red Bell Peppers

Fresh Mushrooms

Bow Tie Pasta

Non Stick Skillet

Tips and Substitutions

• Use your favorite pasta shape. Chili’s uses penne pasta, but I really love bow tie pasta. It makes the dish feel even more special
• Cook the pasta ahead of time so it is ready when you need to stir it into the sauce
• If you want a lighter dish, substitute half and half or light cream for the heavy whipping cream
• Substitute chicken breasts or thighs for the tenders.
• Substitute 1 pound of shrimp for the chicken.
• Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper over the chicken before cooking to give it a bigger kick.
• Don’t increase the cajun seasoning. It is already salty. Follow the step above if you need more spice.
• Substitute olive oil for butter.
• Use half garlic and half onion powder.

What to serve with this pasta recipe

Everyone knows that pasta and breads go together. After all, you want that bread to sop up all that yummy sauce in the bottom of your bowl!

One of my very favorite recipes to make when we have pasta is this Quick Dinner Roll recipe. If we are feeling extra indulgent, I will make this Cheesy Garlic Bread.

Other Chicken Pasta Recipes you may enjoy

Cheesy Penne Chicken Pasta

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Creamy Chicken Riggies

Chicken with Leeks and Tomatoes over Linguine

Chicken Noodle Salad Bowl

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Chicken Pomodoro Pasta

*If you made this recipe for Cajun Chicken Pasta, please give it a star rating*

Cajun Chicken Pasta

A creamy sauce coats bow tie pasta, cajun flavored chicken, peppers, and mushrooms.

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Cajun

Keyword: Cajun Chicken Pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 602kcal

Author: Shelby Law Ruttan

Ingredients

• 6 ounces dried bow tie pasta cooked according to package
• 3/4 pound chicken tenders cut bite sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/3 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 cup fresh mushrooms sliced
• 2 green onions thinly sliced
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 5 small leaves fresh basil cut into small pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• [mv_schema_meta name="Season the chicken"]Place the chicken pieces in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the cajun seasoning, umami seasoning, and garlic powder over top of the chicken and toss. [mv_img id="24911"]
  
• [mv_schema_meta name="Cook the chicken"]Heat the butter over medium high heat in a non stick skillet until hot. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes, or until no longer pink, stirring often. [mv_img id="24903"]
  
• [mv_schema_meta name="Add vegetables"]Add the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, mushrooms and green onions. Cook and stir for 3 minutes. [mv_img id="24904"]
  
• [mv_schema_meta name="Make the sauce"]Stir in the heavy cream. Add the salt and pepper if using. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, until heavy cream has begun to reduce. [mv_img id="24905"]
  
• [mv_schema_meta name="garnish and serve"]Stir in pasta bow ties and sprinkle with fresh basil. Stir to combine. Garnish with more fresh basil when ready to serve, if desired. [mv_img id="24906"]
  

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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 602kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 1631mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g